Pieter d' Hont - Man with child - Sold

This bronze sculpture, "Man and Child," by Pieter d'Hont from 1963, depicts the motif of a walking man with a child on his shoulders, a symbol for "the circle of life." The sculpture is characterized by d'Hont's characteristically expressive design, with a skin composed of small pieces of clay, resulting in a powerful and dynamic appearance. A large version of this sculpture also exists in Utrecht, for the Transwijkpark on Kanaleneiland. In the book "Beelden in de stad" (1998), this monumental work is described as a large man with a powerful chest carrying a small child high on his shoulders, his arms raised—a fitting symbol of progress for a new residential area. The sculpture is signed and in good condition.



Photo large image: Man with Child – Progress (sculpture by Pieter d'Hont), photo © Brbbl — CC BY-SA 3.0

About Pieter d'Hont
Pieter Hermanus d'Hont (1917-1997) was a prominent Dutch sculptor, best known as the unofficial city sculptor of Utrecht. He left behind numerous sculptures in Utrecht and other Dutch cities, including the famous statue of Anne Frank. D'Hont studied at the Rijksacademie in Amsterdam and was strongly influenced by his teacher Jan Bronner, who believed that art should serve society. Until his death in 1997, Pieter d'Hont was considered the unofficial city sculptor of Utrecht.

D'Hont worked with various materials, including stone, bronze, ceramics, concrete, and wood. His oeuvre is multifaceted and includes monumental wall reliefs, freestanding sculptures, small sculptures, and medals. His studio was located in Utrecht, where many of his artworks can be found in public spaces, such as the sculpture "Pony Riding" on the Mariënburg and "Woman with Stole." After Utrecht, most of his sculptures in public spaces are located in Zwijndrecht.
His work is characterized by a combination of classical figuration and poetic expressiveness, in which he deliberately allowed the texture of the material to speak rather than polishing it smooth. This distinguished him within twentieth-century Dutch sculpture. In short, Pieter d'Hont was a versatile artist who, with his figurative and socially engaged sculpture, made a lasting contribution to Dutch art and public space, with a special connection to the cities of Utrecht and Zwijndrecht. Pieter d'Hont's work can be found in museums and numerous cities throughout the Netherlands.